Brick-machine.



No'. 686,659. Patented Nov. l2, lam.

D. A. KEIZER. V

VBalm( MACHINE.

' (Application led'Dec. 18, 1900.)

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(No Model.)

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n. A. KEIZER.

BRICK MACHINE.

(Application led Dec. 18, 1900.)

(No Model.)

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D. A. KEIZER.

BRICK MACHINE.

(Application Bled Dec. 1B, 1900.)

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' DAVID ANTHONY KEIZER, OF WINNIPEG, CANADA.

BRICK-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATON forming partpof Letters Patent No. 686,659, dated November 12, 1901.

Y Application filed December 18, 1900. Serial No. 40,331. (No model.)v i

To all whom, .it mag/concern:

Be it known that LDAvID ANTHONY KEIZER, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Brick-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is iu the nature of an improved form of brick-machines in which are embodied the elements of a series of molds with compressing-dies linked together as an endless chain and provided with clay-mixing devices, packing devices for filling the molds, and pressing devices combined with a subjacent endless belt carrying ydetachable pallets or plates which are designed to receive the bricks from the molds and carry them away. v

My invention consists in the special construction and arrangement of these several features and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter fully described with reference to the drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical side elevation, partly in section, of the entire machine. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same looking from the left-hand side of Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 3a are vertical transverse sections taken on lines 3 3 3a 3a of Fig. 1 and shown on a somewhat larger scale. Fig. 11 is an isometric` view of one of the pressing-dies. Figs. 5 and Gare respectively a side and a top View of one of the molds in which the dies play and which molds are linked together in a series forming an endless belt. Fig. 7 is a side view, partly in section, of the mold-belt, its frame, and coacting parts. portion of the subjacent pallet-belt that receives the bricks after they are molded in the mold-belt above. Figs. 9 and 10 arerespectively a cross-section and a longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, of one of the joints of articulation of the pallet-belt which carries away the bricks.

Before proceeding to describe my invention in detail I would state that its construction generally comprises three separate pugmills constructed as horizontalv open troughs withhopper-shaped sides, as seen in Fig. 2. Two of these pug-mills or clay-mixers R2 and R3 are in alinement, while the third, R', is at right angles to the other two and between them. They all three feed into the vertical Fig. 8 is a side -view of aV clay-cylinder R, Fig. 1, where spiral blades pack the clay into the endless belt of molds passing in succession below it. After each mold is thus filled it passes (see Fig. 7) below a clay-packing.;r plunger Z4, working down into it from above, and then passes above apressing-die M, workin g up through the mold from the under side and strongly compressing the clay against a pressure-plate F3 above. Then as the endless belt of molds passes around the hexagonal vdistending pulleys at the end the bricks are forced ont upon detachable pallets or plates M3 on a long subjacent belt, as seen in Fig. 1, to which belt the pallets are supplied automatically from a pile on a table M5 shown on the right.

I will now describe the actuating mechanism and its gearing.

Z2 is the main drive-shaft, which is best seen in Fig. 2. This shaft receives its power through a large pulley H, which is to be connected by a belt with any, suitable source of power. The shaft Z2 has on one side of the machine a small rigid gear-wheel d, Figs. l and 2, which engages with a large gear-wheel h, that is fast upon a horizontal shaft Z, that has a series of cam projections on it, as seen in Figs. n1 and 7 that act upon adjustable box-sections N N', which in turn act upon the dies M, Fig. 4, which play through the mold K, Figs. 5 and 6, and press the clay into a brick. The shaft Z also has fast upon it a gear-wheel C, Fig. 1, which is of equal size with and meshes into a gear-wheel B on the shaft Q,which carries the hexagonal pulleys a'. These gears C and B turn the belt of molds which at the other end pass around hexagonal pulleys a on shaft P, as seen in Fig. 7. The large gear-wheel h, Fig. 1, also meshes with and turns a small gear e on a shaft Z3, which has cams (see Figs. 3 and 7) workin g in the yokes of plunger Z4, and which plunger packs the clay into the molds after it has been delivered from the clay-feeder and before being pressed.

On the shaft Z2 there is fixed a bevel-gear Us, which meshes with a bevel-gear U (see Fig. 1) on the lower end of an inclined shaft T, journaled in bearings in an inclined frame W, and bearing at its upper end a bevelgear U', which meshes with a bevel-gear S2, Xed on a vertical shaft S, which is support- IOO ed upon a table bearing on the top of a vertical clay-cylinder R. This shaft has its lower end suspended within the cylinder and bears a series of spiral propeller-blades S, which when rotated feed the clay down into the molds. Above the shaft S there is arranged a thrust-bearing V, which is carried on the upper end of an upright derrick-frame, and by bearing against the upper end of the said shaft resists the upward strain resulting from the feed of the propeller-blades. The clay-cylinder R is open at its bottom and closed at the top, and into its sides at the top there open the discharge ends of the three png-mills.

At the lower side of the large gear-wheel h, Fig. 1, it meshes with a small gear-wheel h', Fig. 2, on a shaft G, which at its other end has a bevel-wheel g', that engages with a bevel-wheel g on a long shaft R5, Fig. 1, running lengthwise the machine and parallel with it. This shaft at the back end of the machine bears a large band-wheel R6, which through a belt R9 turns a pulley-wheel R10 and though a series of gears R11 turns ahorizonlal shaft R12, which is armed with stirringblades and which mixes the clay to a homogeneous consistency and discharges it at the open end of the trough into the upper end of the clay-cylinder R. On the forward end of the long shaft R5, Fig. l, is fixed another bevel-wheel g2, that engages with a bevelwheel g3 on the end of across-shaft g", which bears the sprocket-wheel J P, Fig. 8, Which distends one end of the pallet-bearing belt that receives the molded bricks.

To work the stirring-shaft of the pug-mill R2, (see Fig. 2,) a pulley R20 is connected by a belt R1 to a large pullcy Z5 on the end of shaft Z2, and to work the shaft of pug-mill R3 a pulley R5o is connected by a belt R29 to a large pulley Z4, ixed on the opposite end of the main drive-shaft Z2. On the shaft Z2, at one side of the pressing devices, Figs. 1 and 2, is fixed another band-pulley Z2, which is connected by a belt r, to a smaller pulley r', having a broad face, and this pulley r is in turn connected by a belt r3 to a large pulley y2 on a shaft y', which bears a rotary brush y, Fig. 1, which is arranged transversely to the mold-belt at the end of the same and is designed to brush ed the faces of the diesin the molds K, which dies at this point of travel of the belt are brought up flush with the face of the mold. The mold-belt, Figs. l, 3, and 7, is arranged within a frame composed of side pieces F and F2and a powerful horizontal deck-piece F3, rest-ing on F2, which rests upon intermediate deck-piece N2, having V-tracks upon which the molds slide. The Vs on hexagonal pulleys a a are continnations of the Vs on N2. The deck-piece F3 is firmly bolted to the base-piece F by means of rods F4 F4.

F5 is a rear deck-piece resting on sides F2, and F, Fig. 3, represents the lower track parts of the frame-pieces F F on which the moldbelt moves.

The special construction of the pallet-belt, which receives the bricks, is seen in Figs. 8, 9, and 10. J is a wheel between the links J J of the pallet-belt, which runs on a subjacent track J2, and J3J4 J5, Fig. 1, represent a wooden frame for supporting the same. M3, Fig. l0, represents detachable wooden pallets or plates, which are seated between lugs at the ends of links J. M4 represents transverse shafts, which connect the carrier-links together and form axles for wheels. M5 (seen on the right of Fig. 1) is the pallet-table, on which the pallets M3 are stacked up in a pile and from which they are automatically fed to the belt or carrier, the lugs of the latter dragging the lowest pallet from the pile and carrying it under the inverted molds, which drop the bricks thereon.

The brick-mold (see Figs. 4, 5, and 6) consists of ahollow box K, having compartments injwhich work vertically the pressing-dies M, each of which has at the end a projectinglug L, which protrudes through a slot L2 on the end of the mold K. These lugsact as guides and prevent the binding of the dies. At the upper edge of each mold at each end there is a groove Kg, into which lies a permanent guide formed on the deck-pieces, (see Fig. 3,) which prevents the clay from being forced between the joints made by F3 and the tops of the mold during the pressing action. The die M, as shown, is cast in one piece, and is shaped into six brick faces, Whose dividingspaces lit the division-plates of the mold K. The full action of die M in mold K is limited to the movement of the lugs L in the slots made in both ends of each mold. When on the upper tracks, the dies may be adjusted by means of simple guide-rails placed on the lower deck N2 and under the lugs L, so as to raise the dies in the molds to any desired thickness of brick, and also the exact amount of clay is delivered into the mold to suit the supplementary top press or plunger Z4 and the powerful upward movement of the boxes N N when lifted by cams on shaft Z.

N, Fig. 7, is a cast-iron retaining-box Working vertically in a guiding-space in the deck N2and having aridge on its lower side, against which the cams of shaftZact toliftit. Block N fits in N, and spacing-plates are to be laid between N and N/ of greater or less thickness to suit the thickness of the brick to be made. The block N extends entirely across the machine, but is a little shorter than the top of die M, giving an equal lift against M throughout its length.

K2, Fig. 1, is a revolving sieve or bolt for sifting dust down the casing 7a2 onto the dies for preventing adhesion ofthe clay. This rotary sieve is on the same shaft with and is turned by the pulley r'.

One part of myinvention relates to the combined mold and die K M, either singular or IOO IIO

plurally joinedthas is, one or'more brick` may be made by it--and the same as a unit is Vjoined to other units Ain an endless chain ofv molds by means of short bolts, which couple the same together. The endless chain of molds is supported by upper V-tracks on deck N2, forming part of the frame of the brickmachine, and lower plain ones F6, Fig. 3, and is set in motion by hexagonal wheels a a', whose perimeters are V-shaped. The belt of molds passing under the feed-cylinder re- F3, having perforations or vents which allow surplus clay and air in molds to escape. When in this position, die Mis forced upward by means of cam-shaft Z and adjustable compression-blocks N N, which move in a slot in deck-piece N2. Passing the latter point the molds are carried, by means of hexagonal wheels a a', to an inverted position onto the lower tracks F6, where the bricks are pushed onto the pallets M3, passing thereunder. Expelling-guides are provided which bear downward against the lugs L of each inverted die as it passes over the point of discharge, forcing bricks onto pallets. Guides are also provided to raise the dies from the point of Vdeparture from hexagonal wheels a onto the upper V-tracks, which regulate the quantity of clay forced into the molds as they pass under the lling device. As each mold passes upward over the hexagonal wheels a revolving brush y cleans the faces of the top of each mold and die, and when the latter has reached a point just in front of the feed-cylinder the die is dusted with ne dry clay by means of revolving sieve K2, Figs. 1 and 2, having a ine mesh, which dust prevents the moist clay sticking to the dies, thereby facilitating the discharge of bricks from the dies to which the clay would otherwise adhere. The inverted top faces of the dies fall flush with the top edges of the molds, and in this position they rise to the revolving cleaning-brush.

The second part of my invention relates to the brick-conveyer or pallet-carrier, on rollers and tracks, which works in unison with the endless belt of molds and is actuated by the same power. The said conveyer may be of any length, having at its farthest extremity from the machine similar sprockets to those shown in Fig. 8 and supported by rails fixed in a wooden frame.

The object of providing my brick-machine with three pug-mills is that as the bricks are molded so rapidly it became necessary to employ additional means for supplying the clay to it.

Myl brick machine may be operated by steam, electric, or water power.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a brick-machine, the combination with an endless series of molds having compressing-dies in their lower portions, a vertical feed-shaft with spiral blades on it arranged above the mold, a preliminary packing-plunger arranged above the mold and having a horizontal actuating-shaft with cams and upwardlymoving pressure blocks arranged below the molds to act against the dies, and a horizontal actuating-shaft for said blocks having lifting-cam surfaces on the same for raising the blocks substantially as described. v

2. In a brickmachine, the combination with anV endless series of molds with feeding, packing, and pressing devices; of three pugmills constructed with revolving shafts having stirring-arms said pug-mills being arranged at right angles to each other to deliver their clay into the top of the feedingcylinder substantially as described 3. In a brick-machine, a brick-receiving belt composed of jointed links each having two lugs on its upper face, one at each end forming a seat between them, combined with detachable plates or pallets for the bricks said plates being made of a width equal to the space between the lugs and vfitting therein substantially as and for the purpose described.

4. In a brick-machine, a brick-receiving belt composed of jointed side links with lugs at their ends on their upper faces, detachable plates or pallets fitting between said lugs, cross-shafts connectingthe links and forming articulated joints, and running wheels ar,- ranged on said shafts between the adjacent ends of the-connected links on each side substantially as described.

V5,. In a brick machine, the combination with an endless articulated belt of molds having movable dies in their bottoms; of a rotary brush arranged at the end-of the belt about midway between the upper and lower sections to act upon the face of the die while it is vertical and still flush with the top of the mold as it rises from an inverted position substantially as described.

6. In a brick-machine, the combination of a chain of hollow box-molds having grooves at their ends parallel to their line of travel, stationary track-guides entering said grooves and pressing-dies rising and falling in said molds substantially as and for the purpose described.

'7. In a brick-machine having a series of articulated molds forming an endless belt, the

combination of the pressure plate F3, the molds passing beneath it, and the dies operating through the molds upwardly, the said molds and pressure-plate having at their ends a tongue-and-grooved joint Kg to prevent the clay from oozing out the ends at this point substantially as described.

8. In a brick-machine having a series of articulated molds forming an endless belt, the

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combination of the perforated pressure-plate F3, the mold K with division plates and tongue-and-grooved joints at the ends on the top and bottom, and also end slots, and the die M having multiple brick faces separated by spaces fitting the division-plates, and also end lugs protruding through the end slots of the mold substantially as described.

9. The combination of the pressure-plate F3, a chain of molds With pressing-dies working,r in the saine, a base-frame with tie-rods F4 F4 securing the base-frame to the pressureplate, a vertically-sliding block arranged in guides to operate against the lower side of the dies successively, and a horizont-al cam-shaft 

